Ireland: Alcohol Ads Near Schools Banned
Alcohol ads near schools are now banned in Ireland according to new legislation.
New laws to protect the Irish public from alcohol advertising come into effect in Ireland on November 12, 2019. The measures include a ban on outdoor alcohol ads, such as on public transport and around schools and playgrounds. Alcohol adverts on children’s clothing and in cinemas for films suitable for under 18s will also be banned, according to the Irish Examiner.
Three sections of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, which was first introduced as a Bill in 2015 and were signed into law by President Michael D Higgins last month, will limit the advertising of alcohol in public places.
Alcohol advertising is prohibited,
- in or on public service vehicles,
- at public transport stops or stations,
- within 200 metres of a school, creche, or local authority playground
- in cinemas except for films which are classified as over 18
- on children’s clothing
Studies report consistently that exposure to alcohol advertising is associated with an increased likelihood that children will start to [use alcohol], or will [use alcohol] in greater quantities if they already do.
These measures aim to change that situation in Ireland and to remove alcohol advertising from the day-to-day lives of our children,” said Health Minister Simon Harris, as per The Journal.
The Global Burden of Disease study published in May 2019 found that Ireland has the third highest level of adolescent binge alcohol use in the world at 61% for females and almost 59% for males.
Global Alcohol Exposure Between 1990 – 2017 And Forecasts Until 2030
The reasons why the Public Health (Alcohol) Act is so important for Irish society are many. And the health ministry has shared some of them on Twitter recently:
Why do we need the #AlcoholAct?
Ireland has the 3rd highest levels of adolescent binge drinking in the world, 61% for females and 58.8% for males.
re: Global Burden of Disease Study @TheLancet: https://t.co/qB0EEqCKMb #askaboutalcohol
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) November 12, 2019
A new research group, chaired by Professor of Population Health Medicine at Trinity College Dublin, Joe Barry, has also been established to ensure the measures in the Act are effective and will continuously be monitored and evaluated.
The Irish Health Minister said that reports in October found an 80% increase in 2018 in the number of children under-16 admitted to Irish hospitals because of alcohol intoxication. The Minister is determined to see the Alcohol Act implemented thoroughly to stop alcohol from invading childhoods of Irish kids.
